Managing Stress

Working is known to be in the top 5 for causing health problems.  We all have stress from our jobs in one way or another, but managing that stress is extremly important to maintaing our health.  Read below on how you can help manage your stress.

Take 15-minute breaks

If you are having one of those days that you can't get away from work for a full hour lunch, then take 15-minute breaks throughout the day.  Go for a walk out of the office, even if it's only around the block.  You'll see how refreshed you are, when you come back.  If you are stuck on writing code or a document, get up and take that 15-minute break.  It's proven that the mind is more responsive, when it has time to absorb what its been working on.

Express Yourself Positively

You might be having one of those days that you want to really tell your boss off and and it may feel like it's a good idea at the time, but you may lose your job over it.  There's nothing wrong about getting out your emotions, but do it in a safe place.  Whether it's on the HateBoss.com Blogs or walking out of the office and finding a safe place to let it out.  If you really are having a bad day, go to your car, close all of the windows and scream as loud as you can.

It's good to let it out, just be careful where you do it.  Make sure that you are in a safe place, when you do.

Exercise

One of the best ways to relieve stress, is to workout during your lunch break.  Working out allows you to take care of yourself and to forget about your morning.  Also, it allows you to feel better about body and lets the endorphins out, which ultimately makes you feel good. If you can't get to a gym, then take a long walk, for at least a half hour.  Getting up your heart rate and walking away from the office, will be your only concern, when you are out for lunch and you will forget about what was bothering you.  Or, consider purchasing 5 pound weights and keeping them at your desk.  If you can't get away, at least you can take a few minutes and focus on lifting the weights.  The thought process of lifting and doing a certain amount of reps, will have you focus only on that activity.

Meditation and Yoga

I know it sounds hokey, but Yoga has proven to elongate the life and to keep your body more fit than most other forms of exercise.  Your body's muscles start to lose elasticity in your 30's, especially because you are not utilzing all of your muscles, as much as you did, when you were younger.  Consider joining a class during your lunch break.  You'll not only relieve your stress, but you will help improve your overall health.